Belleville West Theatre Announces 2017-2018 Season

The Belleville West Little Theatre recently announced its slate of shows for the 2017-2018 season.

The year opens with the fall play on October 5, 6, and 7.  This year’s production is Every Brilliant Thing, a new play by Duncan MacMillan.  Originally staged as a one-one show, this is a powerful production about depression and the lengths we go to for those we love.  The cast and crew will hold matinee performances for middle school students on October 5 and 6.

Next is the freshman-sophomore show, a performance that showcases West’s younger actors.  This year’s freshman-sophomore show will be held on Thursday, November 16.

The theatre department opens 2018 with the children’s show, scheduled for February 1 and 2.  This year’s show is the Disney favorite Beauty and the Beast, featuring the beloved songs “Belle,” “Be Our Guest,” and “Beauty and the Beast.”  Area grade school students will enjoy matinee performances of the show on January 30 and 31.

The season continues with the annual contest drama, to be held on March 15.  This year’s play is Superior Donuts, a comic drama by award-winning playwright Tracy Letts.  The cast and crew will compete in the sectional drama contest on March 16 and 17.

The year concludes with the spring musical, Ragtime.  This American musical–which won Tony Awards in 1998 for best original score and best book of a musical–includes such memorable songs as “Goodbye, My Love,” “The Crime of the Century,” “New Music,” and “Wheels of a Dream.”  The musical will play the West stage on May 3, 4, and 5.

Students, parents, and theatre fans can follow all the drama on the BW stage by liking the group’s Facebook page.  Just click here to view the Belleville West Little Theatre page.

Little Theatre Hosts First Meeting on September 5

The Belleville West Theatre Department stages five productions each school year—the fall play, a show featuring only freshmen and sophomores in the cast, the children’s play, the traveling contest drama, and the spring musical. That’s five opportunities for Belleville West students to perform onstage, to build skills behind the scenes, to meet new friends, and to make some lasting memories.

Little Theatre is the organization that promotes theatrical events on the Belleville West campus. The group sponsors monthly informational meetings, social events, workshops for actors and technicians, and a spring honors reception. Any student interested in performing onstage or working behind the scenes is encouraged to join Little Theatre.  The group’s first meeting of the year will be held next Tuesday, September 5, after school in the Performing Arts Center.

BW Harambee Invities New Members for Year’s First Meeting

Harambee, a group of Belleville West students interested in African-American history and culture, will hold its first meeting of the year this Friday, September 1, at 8:00 a.m.  Returning members and new students are encouraged to attend.  The organization is sponsored by English teacher Ms. Carnetta Chalmers.

Chess Team Holds First Meeting of the Year

The Belleville West Chess Team will hold an informational meeting after school on Monday, August 28, in room B340.  Veteran team members and new players are invited to attend.  The team’s coach is English teacher Mr. Lucas Spriggs.

Speech and Acting Team Hosts Try-Outs for New Members

Auditions for the Fall Play Take Place This Week

Auditions for Every Brilliant Thing—the 2017 fall play—will be held this Tuesday, August 22, at 3:45 in the BW Performing Arts Center.  Roles are available for 16 young men and women.  Students from all grade levels are encouraged to audition.

Audition packets are located on the theatre bulletin board and outside the English office (room B331).  The packets include material to help students prepare for the audition.  Applications for student directors and student technical directors are also available.